Question
My 5-year-old child has been hiccuping frequently lately, sometimes making a loud sound. Initially, I thought it was due to eating too much, so I didn’t pay much attention. Later, I found out it wasn’t overeating; it was an injury to the trachea. This condition has been going on for two weeks now. What can we eat to treat it?
Answer
Hello, common causes of children’s hiccuping include eating too much, eating too fast, inhaling cold air, food irritating the throat, or indigestion. Persistent hiccuping in children should prompt a visit to the hospital for a detailed examination. If the trachea is injured, a bronchoscopy may be necessary. Alternatively, the child can try taking a deep breath and holding it, or using stomach-soothing and anti-retching traditional Chinese medicine for treatment.